On a snowy day in January 2013, Joe Fitzpatrick MSP officially opened our new volunteer-run Guide Shop. He joined our County Commisioners, Hazel Lusby (left) and Frances Dent (right), plus Linda Duff our shop mananger to cut the ribbon.
Since then, a band of volunteers, led by Linda and supported by Treasurer, Jan Martin, have supplied uniforms to countless families in the city and surrounding area from the halls of Meadowside St Paul's Church.
From the start, we have ordered weekly from our suppliers in Edinburgh, and have sold thousands of badges to leaders, and hundreds of books, polo shirts, hoodies and trousers. Never mind caps, teddies, and other gifts.
We've supplied items for the Big Brownie Birthday, Girlguiding Dundee's centenary, Rainbows 30th birthday, Trefoil Guild Anniversaries and numerous celebrations for the late Queen. We have seen changes to uniforms and the Girlguiding programme, with lots of new badges, six and patrol emblems as well as books and resource cards.
We spent a period of time decanted to another room while maintenance went on in the building, but our biggest hurdle was the Covid pandemic. With very little notice we closed the physical shop, and bit by bit, emptied the contents to the homes of some of the volunteers.
With units meeting online, we were still able to supply badges and other items, via a "click and collect" service, and when outdoor meetings started up, we supplied uniforms too. Then finally, over a year later, the glorious day arrived for us to re-open the doors on the physical shop. Masked, at a distance, and with very limited numbers, business started to return to normal.
We've always encouraged people to "shop local" - we're a place you can try on uniforms, email in orders and pick up items without without incurring postal charges.
And we have been able to provide in excess of £20,000 for use by Girlguiding Dundee to support young people in this area.
We celebrated our birthday month with a special offer - 10% off everything in January 2023.
Here's to the next 10 years - we look forward to seeing you soon - check our webpage for opening days/times and our contact details.